The Rotary Club of Makati, driven by its mission to instill hope and foster positive change, welcomed 80 participants from Sisters of Mary’s Boystown in Silang Cavite with open arms. This collaborative effort between RC Makati and the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation (NGF) marked another significant step in promoting mental wellness among underprivileged youth through NGF’s SuPEER Heroes of the Millennium peer support training program. Spanning two weekends on June 8-9 and 15-16, the program unfolded at the Sisters of Mary Boystown campus, where 73 boys and 7 teachers engaged in a transformative 4-day training session led by licensed mental health professionals.
The comprehensive curriculum included essential topics such as Mindfulness Therapy, Resilience, Basic Communication Skills, and Self-Care until eventually progressing onwards an Intermediate level of training comprised of Basic Helping Skills, Love Languages, and Mental Health First Aid. These modules were designed not only to equip participants with practical skills but also to empower them to be effective sources of support for their peers facing mental and emotional challenges.
The program kicked off on June 8th with a heartfelt opening prayer led by Sister Mylene, Director of Sisters of Mary Schools. This was followed by warm words of welcome from Pres. Bing Matoto, PP Charlie Rufino, Rtn. Boy Arteche, and an inspiring keynote address by PE Keith Harrison. Also present were Jean Goulbourn, President, and Founder of NGF, Rachel Harrison, and Chinit Rufino.
Throughout the training, participants actively engaged in discussions, practical exercises, and role-playing scenarios aimed at reinforcing their learning and enhancing their ability to provide compassionate peer support. Interactive sessions included Q&A portions with prizes to encourage participation and foster an environment where students felt safe to express their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment.
The culminating day of the program was a testament to the impact of the training, as students eloquently expressed their gratitude through speeches and heartfelt poetry. The highlight of the day was a moving performance by the Boystown Choir, which brought tears to the eyes of attendees. As a gesture of appreciation, students distributed handwritten Thank You cards and even Father’s Day cards to facilitators, Pres. Bing and CoS Ron Dotaro. Members of the Rotaract Club of Makati, led by PE Hira Hermoso, alongside PP Mark Gil Cato, PP Elena Gana, PP AJ Sembrano, PN Jover Acebuche, Dir. Karylle Dotaro, and Rtr. Martin Revilla also joined in the closing festivities.
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